With the University of Hyderabad (UoH) students’ union elections scheduled on October 5, various student organisations have kick-started their poll campaign. The campus will witness a triangular fight this time with three panels in poll fray.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has allied with OBC Federation, their previous year alliance partner included Sevalal Vidyarthi Dal to their poll panel. Last year’s winner Alliance for Social Justice (ASJ) got split with Students Federation of India (SFI) and decided to march alone while ASA, BSF, DSU, MSF, NSUI, SIO and TSF have come together to form United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The panel led by ABVP, which is vouching for a change on the campus, is campaigning with the slogan ‘Disha Badlo Dasha Badlegi’.
Speaking to #KhabarLive, Aarti Nagpal, presidential candidate of panel led by ABVP, said, “Previous unions failed to address basic issues like mess food and security of women. I was a victim of stalking. Instead of extending help, many tried to silence my voice.”
Meanwhile, by fielding four women candidates, the UDA is banking on women empowerment and unity of the downtrodden. UDA presidential candidate Sreeja Vasthavi said, “As the first Dalit woman candidate contesting for the post of president in the history of UoH elections, I know my hurdles will be more but I will not let the student community down.”
SFI is approaching the election with a call to resist communalisation and commercialisation of higher education. SFI presidential candidate Erram Naveen said, “Our fight is for campus democracy, against the restrictions put up by the administration on student community.”
About 20 candidates will test their luck in the election for six main office positions in the students’ union with two out of four presidential contestants being women and one candidate an independent. #KhabarLive
